Grassa

This place is super cute. You order and then seat yourself anywhere. They also make their pastas from scratch and change the menu regularly. I love their red sauce type pastas. The carbonara was okay, creamy, and had an egg. I’ve also tried their squid ink pasta with fish and it was delicious.

Oh my. That pork belly mac, guys. You haven’t experience Portland cuisine fully until you get some of this decadent goodness in your mouth. SHARE it though. I have never been able to finish it. Oh and the garlic cheese crusty bread?!? Get it.
On a nice summer evening, you could go really crazy and sit outside, eat some Grassa and have your date go get some Lardo next door (get the banh mi sandwich, trust).

Okay let me preface by saying that I’ve been here once before and did not like my food. I ordered the carbonara with bucatini noodles and it was such a disappointment. I like the fact that all of their noodles are handmade, but not really a fan of the bucatini noodle with the carbonara dish. The meal in itself was also all too salty. Bleh. I thought, «maybe it was a fluke… I’m willing to give it another try!»
Well today was the day I gave the same dish another go. I decided to swap out the bucatini with actual spaghetti since that’s what I’m accustomed to. I sadly write to say that it was yet again overly salty! *tear emoji*. Just ruined the meal and brought up my initial visit of the same experience. Swapping out the noodles didn’t help either. The spaghetti isn’t the spaghetti that I know and love. Stick with the bucatini, I guess.
I had a sample of my friend’s pork belly mac and cheese and THAT was actually good. I’m going to let Rome stick with serving me the carbonara I love to devour going forward. I honestly will never give the carbonara another chance here. Sorry, not sorry.

Normally very good service and really good food.
Tonight will probably be my 6^th visit and I ordered the chicken piccata, when our food came it didn’t have the chicken skin and I asked the server if it came with it and she said it did and that she’d be back.
When she came back she said they were all out and asked if I wanted something in place of the skin. I asked for some pancetta, then the manager came out and started being really defensive over not having the chicken skin and that he didn’t know they were out and I told him it was fine and to just bring the pancetta.
After another 10 minutes my party and I were finished eating the pancetta came, the server apologized for how long it took. I went inside after a few minutes and tried speaking to the manager about what he could do for our bill or a future visit and he said I already said sorry what more do you want? I said that I was just very disappointed and that’s not normal for this restaurant and that I would have ordered something else if I had known they were out. He told me I got the replacement I asked for said he couldn’t help me. He half-​assed a «did you really want me to comp your order??» I said just nevermind. He was too busy changing a record to be bothered by me. Extremely disappointed in management… Food is bomb (don’t order the piccata without the chicken skin it’s as disappointing as their management)

【Recommended】
I sat at the bar and had a good view of the chef making the pasta in front of me. Very fresh pasta. Great prices. I ordered the Carbonara. It had a fried egg, peas, pecorino cheese and pork belly pieces. For $ 11, it was well worth it.

The Pasta is always greener on the Grassa side!
Okay, totally corny, but I tried. What was not meant to be, totally became when we stopped at Grassa for dinner after a pre dinner bite at Blue Star Donuts! Dessert before dinner, yes please!
I think what impressed me the most about Grassa was their homemade pasta really was the most amazing and fresh pasta I’ve had in memory! Maybe I don’t eat that much pasta anymore and maybe I have a horrible memory. Either way, the pasta here is legit!
I ordered their Carbonara which I haven’t had carbonara in years, and it was a nicely rich and savory dish! After walking over 10 miles around Downtown Portland, the pasta and pork belly with the fried egg really made it all worth it! I would put it in one of the best comfort dishes I’ve ever had for sure! My wife had their Pork Belly Mac and Cheese and it was ridiculous.
I did order a glass of their Ex Novo IPA on tap, but I wasn’t too impressed by it. Maybe a bit too hoppy for me. I’m always trying new beers, so this serves me right.
Amazingly, I don’t think we left too full, but we were definitely a comfortable full. Their portion sizes are just about right. Perfect mix of quality and quantity!
Grassa, you made me fall back in love with pasta. Damn you!

So glad we stopped in here while visiting Portland! We were walking down the street nearing 10 miles of walking for the day when I told my husband this place looks good. Came in and had no idea what to order but the pork belly Mac and cheese caught my eye. Boy am I glad that I got it. Let me start off by saying the noddles were heavenly! They make the pasta at that location. Any place that makes the pasta on site is a place I want to visit. The pork belly!!! Omg it was good. I can’t believe how tender it was! Mix that with the creamy cheese and my day was made! I opted out of the garlic bread cause I already had plenty of carbs in the rest of my meal but I’m kinda regretting that as everyone talks about how great the bread was! The service was good. I like how you walk in and order then find your table. You don’t have a server bothering you the whole time. I have love for servers but sometimes they can be a bit much. I couldn’t stop talking about the pasta the rest of the day! It was that good people! If I lived in Portland I would be here all the time! I will come back!

Delicious hand made pasta! It’s right next to blue star donuts on the same street. You order first then seat yourself and at the counter, you can see them hand make the pastas and see how they do everything. This by itself already tells you that everything is going to be fresh and delicious. With the customers eyes watching consistently, all the cooks will be on their A game!
Pork Belly Mac and Cheese– boy was it delicious. This dish is savory, sweet, cheesy, thick, and heavenly. The pork belly comes in small fat chunks that is seasoned perfectly and melts in your mouth. On top of that, the pasta is stuffed with cheese inside! I’m not even a crazy cheese fan/​lover but I did fall in love with the cheese.
Rigatoni– which is covered with red sauce and it comes with a good amount of pork. I would say a little too much with the pork, but that is a good thing because they aren’t stingy with their meat.
Spaghetti aglio olio– this pasta is very light with a lot of different flavors! So simple yet so tasty and complete! There are also little garlic pieces to this pasta which makes it that much more amazing! The noodles are very thin and kind of reminds me of this Taiwanese jajiangmei instant noodle which is a good memory to bring back. Love this dish.
Antipasto salad– very light and refreshing salad with pepperoni and beans. Wish it had more greens tho!
If you’re visiting Portland I would highly recommend that you stop by!

I really liked everything about Grassa, except for the actual execution.
We came here after the lines at Tasty n’ Alder were out of control, and we were pretty hungry. We checked Unilocal and Grassa came up, and we were actually kinda hankering for some fresh pasta, so we gave it a try.
The menu is on the wall, and you’re asked to order before sitting. For a «fast-​casual» place, I think that makes sense, although some paper menus probably would have been preferable, considering that their items were all over the wall, in sort of a chaotic fashion. Once we were seated, we waited about 25 minutes for our food, which was bit slow for pasta, in my opinion. I did like the open kitchen, so we could see all the chefs and line cooks at work, and you could see the trays and trays of fresh pasta being rolled out. It kinda had the feel of an Italian Chiptle, with wooden tables instead of stainless steel. I realize that might be perceived as somewhat of an insult, but I actually think it’s a clean look.
We ordered the spaghetti with chorizo and squid, the pork belly mac and cheese, and the squid ink chitarra. The squid ink chitarra I ordered was pretty tasty, but sort of a mess of flavors and textures. The components were strewn all over the place, and didn’t come quite well together. The pork belly mac and cheese was decent, and I was a big fan of the actual pork belly, since the flavors were great and at the tenderness I personally like. However, there was way too much cheese sauce that weighed down the pasta, and it ended up being a little mushy. On the other hand, the spaghetti was a little bland and probably needed a little more sauce, even with the fattiness of the chorizo.
I like that the ingredients are pretty high quality, and I really liked the fresh pasta, but the flavors and textures need a little work, in my opinion. Also, in what world is spaghetti not cylindrical? I’m quite confused. I understand if you’re putting a twist on the classics, but that’s just odd to me. Service was fine, although the host/​guy at the front of house sort of acted as if the concept were completely straightforward, and I don’t think it was that clear to most of the customers. I think there just needs to be a little bit more explanation to the seating and just general concept, because a fast-​casual pasta place is not something you run into everyday.
Not sure if I’d come back, but considering that ingredients are quality, I might be inclined to give them another shot the next time I’m in Portland.

Update: carbonara recipe has changed. It seems this would be for the better (added pork belly chunks, and green peas).
Not for the better. It’s not just the different recipe that doesn’t work as well. The quality and flavor have fallen.
Why Grassa, why? You broke the first rule of Grassa (see previous review).
Given that most things on the menu were middle of the road before and the carbonara was the standout (along with pork belly mac and cheese), I sadly most relinquish grassa to the lost lowly land of 3-​star-​dom, a place you go if it makes sense but not a place you ever seek out.
I still appreciate that they hand make the pasta in front of you, I just wish they could make the whole package taste better. Perhaps that’s the toll that getting a name and expanding has on a place… But when you cut corners on the little details, it matters.

I will now be bringing everyone I know here! The noodles are handmade and so delicious! I had the CACIO e PEPE and I am not ashamed to admit that I ate the entire thing. Truffle oil butter? So freaking delicious!!! I will be dreaming about and talking about that dish every day for the next few weeks until someone finally takes me back.
My friend had the pork belly mac and cheese, and it was so full of flavor. The pork belly was so tender it just fell apart, and the jalapeño taste was just the perfect amount of kick to the dish.
We had to have the garlic bread because everyone told us we should and we were not disappointed. I am seriously so full right now that I can’t believe I had room for drinks. But I do not regret consuming all of that. It is a happy full.

Fresh and simple homey pasta dishes! We tried the Cacio e Pepe and the Bucatini with Zucchini as well as the Grassa meatballs. All three dishes were delicious and well done. Each was distinct in flavors and each had something special that made it unique whether it was the truffle butter in the Cacio or the toasted almonds in the bucatini. Everything was cleaned off our plates quickly. We will definitely be back to try the many different dishes on the menu. Its a simple place where you order at the register before you walk in to find a seat. The atmosphere was modern and friendly with lots of families with young kids able to watch the open kitchen and see the fresh pasta being made and packaged for all to see.

Grassa is a casual italian place with a cool, trendy atmosphere. You order off chalkboards when you walk in and then find a seat at one of the communal tables. Our food came out quickly and was a great value for the price. The servings were generous and the food was delicious, in fact my husband declared the Squid ink chitarra his favorite meal of the weekend which says a lot because we ate a LOT of good food while we were in Portland.

Handcrafted freshly made pasta right in front of you… heck yeah! Very unique flavors and dishes. We ordered 4 pasta dishes and ate family style, they’re all so good. The Rigatoni (Pork Ragu) has nice big chunks of meat. Pork Belly Mac & Cheese was so delicious, the meat was amazing (sweet and salty, maybe a bit too salty– High sodium nitrates maybe?). Squid Ink Chitarra was very good, has lots of flavors going on and love the chewy texture of the pasta. Caci e Pepe (Truffle butter) was delicious, if you like truffle, you will like this dish!

Grassa–
Stop what you are doing right now and read this review before you research anything! I can guarantee before you are finished reading this your mouth will be salivating and you will have your bag in your hand ready to hit Grassa.
Highlights:
+Oregon grown Wine in a can.
+Fast food, done right
+Outdoor seating
+Jalapeño Pork Belly Mac n cheese
+Open Kitchen
You enter the restaurant and will be greeted by a host who is basically standing at a cash register. She tells you she will take your order and gives you a number. It’s open seating so they’ll bring it over once it’s ready. Think Noodles and Company.
It’s a little awkward because you’ll wind up hawking some tables waiting for people to leave, but in your downtime, you get a show from the kitchen staff. With the open kitchen concept it’s really cool to see what they are doing. You also have the opportunity to sit at the bar to see the action close up!
The Grub:
+Wine in a can– what an interesting concept. Wine in a can, it’s something that you’d never think of or look down on because it’s not something we are used to. Like boxed wine, people don’t like that because it’s an adult juice box, I am all about the box and the can. If you haven’t had it, give it a try!
+Jalapeño Pork Belly Mac n Cheese– hellllo, come to Mama! This was one of the most wonderful things I ate while in Portland. Creamy, succulent pork and the perfect amount of heat. I couldn’t believe what was going on. My taste buds never danced this much.
+Spaghetti with EVOO and Garlic– Solid choice. On the lighter and «healthier» side if you can even say that when pasta is involved.
+Garlic Bread– Did you put lemon on this? A game changer of a garlic bread. I never expected lemon with my garlic bread, but it was wonderful. Heavy on the garlic just the way I like it.
What an awesome little dinner spot. Super trendy but really delicious food. It is loud in here, so I wouldn’t recommend coming on a first. second or third date.

Omg… this place is SO GOOD. I am a carb lover, so this place was literally heaven! It’s a casual way of dining — you order at the front and then wait for your food to be brought to your table. On Friday night around 7pm, there was a line out the door so we decided to try again on Saturday around 4pm. I would recommend coming pretty early if you wanna avoid the line on the weekends.
We got the Big Rigatoni and Carbonara pastas with a side of garlic bread. Each was $ 11 – 12 which I thought was fair for the price. The texture of both pastas were absolutely perfect. Hand-​crafted pasta makes a huge difference! The sauce of the Big Rigatoni was AMAZING. probably one of my favorite sauces ever. The Carbonara was good too but the pea flavor was a bit too strong. The fried egg on top went well with the pasta! I really wish there was a Grassa in my hometown :’(…

Can’t believe I only recently found out about this gem in downtown Portland. They make their noodles from scratch and it makes a world of difference.
We got the Squid Ink pasta and the Whole Wheat Radiatore. Let me just say, I am usually not a fan of whole wheat pasta because it has that gritty texture, but the one at Grassa was soooo good — no weird gritty texture! The sauce for the Radiatore was flavorful & cheesy. The sauce for the Squid Ink pasta was mildly spicy, very garlicky, & cheesy which made for a delicious combo. Portions were pretty large too, which made for a filling meal.
The interior isn’t huge, but the high ceilings & open space make for a nice spot. The music was bumpin’ pretty loud, so just be prepared to talk loudly.
Definitely need to go back & try their other pastas!

One of my favorite restaurants in Portland! With great prices and food quality, what more could you ask for?
Usually I’m not a huge fan of Italian, but Grassa makes HOMEMADE PASTA, and all the ones I’ve tried were so delicious! Most are around $ 10 – 13, very affordable for what you get.
They also have a rotating menu with a few regulars. But both times I’ve been, there were ones that came and went.
–Pork belly mac and cheese is a must if you can’t figure out what to get. HUGE chunks of pork belly, and not too salty. Great bang for your buck
–Whole wheat radiatore was my favorite! Comes with deliciously tomato braised chicken that was so tender and moist.
–Carbonara is a classic, and also a must if it’s your first time! Crispy pork belly and a fried egg on top. Out of all the dishes though, I thought this was the most bland
All dishes come with so much pasta! You may not think so when you first get your bowl of goodness, but just keep eating, and you’ll realize how full you are at the end, or how much you might struggle to finish.

I really liked Grassa! There was a line for dinner but it moved pretty quick. I liked the casual yet intimate atmosphere. You order at the counter, grab a seat and they bring your food out to you. The restaurant is right next to Lardo and there’s literally a door that leads to it.
I came with a group so we tried a bunch of items on the menu. My favorite would have to be the pork belly Mac and cheese, squid ink pasta, and the cacio e pepe. The pork belly was amazing! It was caramelized and melts in your mouth! The Mac and cheese was creamy and served with large macaroni pasta. The squid ink pasta had a nice spicy kick with a hint of lime. I really enjoyed this dish! Lastly the cacio e pepe had a truffle butter taste that wasn’t overwhelming. Their grilled brussel sprouts were pretty good too. I also tried their garlic bread, which was a little burnt. If you like sodas, try the orange mango one they have in a bottle. It was pretty good!
A great spot if you want some good pasta!

Wow stopped by here during my trip to Portland for dinner and so glad I did! The atmosphere was hip & casual and I like the whole open seating policy they have going on. Basically there are long communal tables and you sit wherever, so it’s a bit different than your average sit-​down restaurant. Definitely felt a community type vibe and although you might have to sit in between strangers, it’s pretty relaxed and comfortable.
On to the fooood… you order and pay for your food before you sit down and they have a giant menu right when you walk in. Grassa serves pasta but not just your ol’ spaghetti and meatball type of pasta. it’s a mix of comfort food meets 5 star italian restaurant? The plates my boyfriend and I had were oozing with flavor and even though I was full halfway through the meal, I ate as much as I could. And I even got the order of garlic bread which completed the meal.
Cacio e pepe: Definitely recommend this. If you like truffle butter then enough said. The flavor wasn’t overpowering and tasted surprisingly light probably because it wasn’t loaded with cheese, which was good. A little on the oily side, but that’s where all the flavor is. The pasta tasted delicious as well and I walked by in the morning and saw them making it, how cool!
Pork Belly Mac & Cheese: Probably a must-​try if someone asked what they should get here. This is also the ultimate comfort food. Cheesy macaroni with a generous sprinkle of breadcrumbs topped with perfectly made pork belly… sounds like a dream. You will walk away feeling 20 pounds heavier. and happier. The pork belly felt like it melted with my mouth. and blended well with the macaroni.
Drinks were on the strong side, I got the negroni which tasted good and went well with the meal. Nothing much more to say other than that!
If you are looking for a heavy and delicious meal, I would check this place out!